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Re: Heyman says Rolen to the Reds

For the record, I'd reached a point where I thought it was time for EdE to be replaced as well. I think Rolen's age, salary and health status made him a poor target. Having to include good arms in the deal to even up the money makes it that much worse. The Reds could have done a number of things with 3B that did not involve dealing Roenicke or Stewart and they could have done a number of things with Roenicke or Stewart that would have been a much bigger improvement to this team. Taking on money, dealing two of the better prospects in the system to become older and more injury prone is just horrible. The most likely scenario is that a season of full-time duty wears on Rolen's back and he becomes a part time guy again like he was in 2007 and 2008. That is hardly an improvement over EdE and certainly not worth more dollars or the opportunity cost of dealing Roenicke and Stewart. I also share the sentiment that his leadership skills may be over-rated. He was run out of Philly and Larussa banished him from St, Louis. I don't know the details of either situation, but the pattern does not scream team leader to me.

My favorite part of all of this is Jocketty saying "I just decided to give in."

"All I can tell them is pick a good one and sock it." --BABE RUTH

Having better players makes "the right time" or "the big hit" happen a lot more often. PLUS PLUS

Re: Heyman says Rolen to the Reds

Originally Posted by mth123

My favorite part of all of this is Jocketty saying "I just decided to give in."

I heard Jocketty say that last night and it bothered me, too.

To me, it meant that at some point he stopped thinking rationally and went with his emotions instead. During the interview, GG made mention of the fact that Jocketty and Scott Rolen are friends. Nothing wrong with that, per se, but it did give me the feeling that this was not a coldly calculated move, but rather one from the heart.

I have this picture in my mind of Jocketty and Castellini commiserating together over cocktails, shaking their head. One of them says, "You know what we need? A guy like Scott Rolen on this team." Then they look at each other and the gears begin to grind. They just have to have him.

I'm glad EE is not playing 3B any longer. I'm glad Scott Rolen is a Red. I share the concern that too much was given up for him, at the wrong time in Rolen's career, but I know that a trade cannot really be honestly evaluated until some time later. Young pitching is a roll of the dice, IMO. Somewhat because of talent, but even more because of injury.

Re: Heyman says Rolen to the Reds

Originally Posted by Always Red

Young pitching is a roll of the dice, IMO.

Good post AR I didn't exclude the rest to make you look bad, its just that I only want to address this point.

This sentiment seems to be a prevailing one of those defending this deal. It's true that young pitching is a role of the dice. I just happen to think mid-30 year old ballplayers with chronic back conditions making tons of money are bigger roles of the dice.

"All I can tell them is pick a good one and sock it." --BABE RUTH

Having better players makes "the right time" or "the big hit" happen a lot more often. PLUS PLUS

Re: Heyman says Rolen to the Reds

I'm amazed that so many people seem to have taken Walt at his word about "giving in." If I were selling somebody a real lemon of a car, or a really bad horse, I'd probably say something like that too: "You know, I hate to do this, I can hardly afford to do this, but I'm just going to give in and give you what you want. You've got me beat."

Re: Heyman says Rolen to the Reds

Still no uniform numbers yet.

"My mission is to be the ray of hope, the guy who stands out there on that beautiful field and owns up to his mistakes and lets people know it's never completely hopeless, no matter how bad it seems at the time. I have a platform and a message, and now I go to bed at night, sober and happy, praying I can be a good messenger." -Josh Hamilton

Re: Heyman says Rolen to the Reds

Originally Posted by HokieRed

I'm amazed that so many people seem to have taken Walt at his word about "giving in." If I were selling somebody a real lemon of a car, or a really bad horse, I'd probably say something like that too: "You know, I hate to do this, I can hardly afford to do this, but I'm just going to give in and give you what you want. You've got me beat."

Last year he signed Willy and said "he's our CF and lead-off hitter." Many on this board said it was only GM speak and not etched in stone. Then the organization proved him to be a man of his word. Walt said he gave in for various reasons and it sounds like he knew he overpaid. I believe him.

"All I can tell them is pick a good one and sock it." --BABE RUTH

Having better players makes "the right time" or "the big hit" happen a lot more often. PLUS PLUS

Re: Heyman says Rolen to the Reds

Originally Posted by mth123

Last year he signed Willy and said "he's our CF and lead-off hitter." Many on this board said it was only GM speak and not etched in stone. Then the organization proved him to be a man of his word. Walt said he gave in for various reasons and it sounds like he knew he overpaid. I believe him.

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